Terms of service

Terms of Service

Last updated: 1 August 2026

1. About these terms

These Terms of Service apply when you visit or use thefossilshop.co.uk, create an account, contact us through the website or purchase goods from us.

Please read these terms before placing an order. By ordering from us, you agree to these terms together with our:

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes your statutory rights under UK consumer law.

2. About us

This website is operated by:

Michael Janicki, trading as The Fossil Shop

Business address:

27 Pinfold Road
Cayton
Scarborough
YO11 3BH
United Kingdom

Email: info@thefossilshop.co.uk

In these terms, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the legal person or business operating as The Fossil Shop. “You” and “your” refer to the customer or website visitor.

3. Our website

We operate an online shop selling fossils, minerals, crystals, meteorites, replicas, artwork, collecting supplies, gift cards and related products.

The website is hosted by Shopify, which provides the ecommerce platform that enables us to offer products and process orders.

You may use the website only for lawful purposes. You must not:

  • attempt to gain unauthorised access to the website or its systems;

  • knowingly introduce viruses, malware or other harmful material;

  • interfere with the operation or security of the website;

  • use automated systems to scrape or extract substantial parts of the website without our permission;

  • use the website fraudulently or to commit an unlawful act; or

  • infringe our rights or the rights of another person.

We may suspend or restrict access where reasonably necessary to protect the website, our customers or our business.

4. Product information

We take reasonable care to ensure that product descriptions, photographs, prices and availability information are accurate.

Fossils, minerals, crystals, meteorites and similar specimens are natural products. Variations in colour, shape, texture, size, weight and appearance are normal.

Where photographs show the exact specimen being offered, we will aim to make this clear. Where photographs are representative, the product description will explain that the item supplied may vary while being of a similar type, approximate size and comparable quality.

Screen settings, lighting and photography may affect how colours and details appear. Minor differences caused by these factors do not necessarily mean that an item is faulty or misdescribed.

Measurements, weights, geological ages and identifications may be approximate unless expressly stated otherwise. This does not affect your rights if an item is materially different from its description.

5. Authenticity, restoration and replicas

We aim to describe every product accurately and to distinguish genuine specimens from replicas, reproductions, composites or substantially restored items.

Where we know that a specimen has been repaired, restored, reconstructed, composited or enhanced in a way that is material to a purchasing decision, we will aim to disclose this in the product description.

Replicas and reproductions will be identified as such.

If you believe that an item is not authentic or is materially different from its description, contact us at info@thefossilshop.co.uk.

Nothing in this section limits your statutory rights concerning goods that are faulty, not of satisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described.

6. Legal and ethical sourcing

We aim to obtain fossils, minerals and related specimens legally and responsibly, either through our own collecting activities or from suppliers we consider reputable.

Any statement about the origin, provenance, legality or ethical sourcing of a particular item is based on the information and records reasonably available to us.

We will not knowingly sell an item that we believe has been obtained or exported unlawfully.

Where particular documentation or provenance accompanies an item, this will be stated in the product description. Unless expressly stated, a general sourcing statement does not mean that a separate certificate or complete chain-of-custody document is supplied.

7. Eligibility to order

You must be legally capable of entering into a binding contract to place an order.

If you are under 18, an order must be placed by, or with the involvement and permission of, a parent or legal guardian.

You must provide accurate and complete contact, billing and delivery information.

8. Placing an order

Your order is an offer to purchase the goods in your basket.

After you submit an order, we will normally send an automatic acknowledgement. This confirms that we have received the order but does not necessarily mean that we have accepted it.

A contract is formed when we send confirmation that the order has been accepted or dispatched, whichever occurs first.

We may refuse or cancel an order before acceptance where there is a reasonable reason to do so, including:

  • the product is unavailable;

  • the price or description contained an obvious error;

  • payment could not be authorised;

  • we cannot deliver to the supplied address;

  • we reasonably suspect fraud or unlawful activity;

  • an applicable purchasing restriction has been exceeded; or

  • accepting the order would breach a legal or regulatory requirement.

If payment has already been taken for an order we cannot accept, we will refund it using the original payment method.

9. Unique and limited-stock items

Many of our products are unique or available only in limited quantities.

Placing an item in your basket does not reserve it. An item may remain available to other customers until an order is completed and accepted.

If two customers order the same unique item, we will fulfil the order that was successfully completed and accepted first. Any payment taken for an order we cannot fulfil will be refunded.

10. Prices and payment

Prices are displayed in pounds sterling unless stated otherwise.

Prices shown to UK customers include all applicable taxes. If we are not VAT-registered, VAT is not charged separately.

Delivery charges are shown separately before you complete an order. The total amount payable will be displayed before you confirm payment.

We accept the payment methods displayed during checkout. Payments may be processed by Shopify Payments or other third-party payment providers.

You confirm that you are authorised to use the selected payment method.

11. Pricing and listing errors

We take reasonable care when publishing prices and product information, but errors may occasionally occur.

If an error is obvious and could reasonably have been recognised as a mistake, we may decline or cancel the affected order before dispatch.

We will contact you where practicable and give you the option to purchase the item at the correct price where appropriate.

If we cancel an order because of an error, we will refund any payment already received.

Nothing in this section permits us to change the agreed price after a binding contract has been formed without your agreement, except where the law allows otherwise.

12. Promotions and discount codes

Promotions and discount codes may be subject to additional conditions displayed when the promotion is offered.

Unless stated otherwise:

  • discount codes have no cash value;

  • only one discount code may be used per order;

  • a code cannot be applied retrospectively;

  • discounts apply only to eligible products;

  • minimum-spend requirements exclude delivery charges; and

  • we may withdraw a promotion before an order is placed.

We may refuse a discount where a code has expired, is not valid for the selected products or has been used contrary to its stated conditions.

Withdrawal of a promotion will not affect an order already accepted at the promotional price.

13. Delivery

We deliver to the locations described in our Shipping Policy.

Delivery times are estimates unless we expressly agree to a guaranteed delivery date. We will take reasonable steps to dispatch and deliver orders within the stated timeframe.

Unless another period has been agreed, goods will be delivered without undue delay and no later than 30 days after the contract is made.

If delivery is delayed, your rights will depend on the circumstances, including whether an agreed delivery date was essential. Nothing in these terms limits your statutory rights regarding late or failed delivery.

Please ensure that your delivery address is complete and accurate. We are not responsible for a failed delivery caused by incorrect information supplied by you, although we will take reasonable steps to help resolve the situation.

14. Risk and ownership

Goods remain at our risk until they come into the physical possession of:

  • you; or

  • a person you have identified to receive them.

If you independently commission a carrier that we did not offer as a delivery option, risk may pass to you when the goods are handed to that carrier.

Legal ownership of the goods passes to you once we have received payment in full and the goods have been delivered, unless applicable law provides otherwise.

15. International orders

Orders available directly through the website are currently subject to the delivery restrictions shown during checkout.

We may be able to arrange international delivery if you contact us before purchasing.

For international orders:

  • delivery costs and estimated times will be agreed before purchase;

  • you may be responsible for import duties, customs charges and local taxes;

  • customs procedures may cause delays outside our reasonable control; and

  • you are responsible for checking whether an item may lawfully be imported into the destination country.

We will not knowingly export an item where doing so would be unlawful.

Nothing in this section removes any mandatory consumer rights that apply to you.

16. Changing your mind

If you are a consumer purchasing online, you normally have a statutory right to cancel without giving a reason.

You must tell us that you wish to cancel within 14 days beginning the day after you—or a person nominated by you—receive the goods.

After notifying us, you must return the goods within a further 14 days.

For change-of-mind cancellations, you are responsible for return postage where we informed you of this obligation before purchase.

We will refund the price of the returned goods and the cost of our least expensive standard delivery option. Additional charges for premium or expedited delivery will not be refunded beyond the cost of standard delivery.

Further details, including cancellation exceptions and the model cancellation form, are provided in our Refund Policy.

17. Faulty, damaged or misdescribed goods

We are legally responsible for supplying goods that are:

  • of satisfactory quality;

  • fit for any purpose made known to us;

  • as described; and

  • otherwise compliant with the contract.

If an item is faulty, damaged, incorrect or materially different from its description, contact us at info@thefossilshop.co.uk.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, you may be entitled to a refund, repair, replacement or price reduction.

We will cover reasonable return costs or arrange collection where required by law.

Your rights concerning faulty, damaged or misdescribed goods are separate from—and may continue beyond—the 14-day change-of-mind cancellation period.

Further information is available in our Refund Policy.

18. Gift cards

Gift cards are subject to any additional conditions displayed on the relevant product page or supplied with the card.

Gift cards:

  • may be used only through the sales channels stated;

  • cannot normally be exchanged for cash;

  • must not be resold without our permission; and

  • remain subject to any expiry rules clearly disclosed before purchase.

Nothing in this section limits statutory cancellation or refund rights where they apply.

If a digital gift card is supplied immediately, any effect on cancellation rights will be explained and agreed before supply where required by law.

19. Product safety and appropriate use

Some fossils, minerals, collecting tools and related products may have sharp edges, small parts, substantial weight or other characteristics requiring careful handling.

Products must be used, displayed and stored appropriately. Items containing small parts may not be suitable for young children.

Any safety information supplied with a product must be followed.

This section does not exclude our responsibility for supplying safe goods or any liability that cannot legally be excluded.

20. Website content and educational information

Blog posts, identification guidance, geological information and other educational content are provided for general information.

Scientific identifications and interpretations can change as new information becomes available. Unless expressly agreed as a paid professional service, general website content should not be treated as a formal valuation, expert report or definitive scientific determination.

This does not affect our responsibility to describe products accurately.

21. Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, the website and its original content - including text, branding, photographs, graphics and design elements - are owned by or licensed to us and are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.

You may view and use the website for personal, non-commercial purposes.

You must not reproduce, republish, distribute, sell or commercially exploit our content without permission, except where permitted by law.

Third-party trademarks, platform branding and other third-party material remain the property of their respective owners.

22. Reviews, photographs and other submissions

If you voluntarily submit a review, testimonial, photograph or other content, you confirm that:

  • it is truthful and reflects your genuine experience;

  • you created it or have permission to submit it;

  • it does not infringe another person’s rights;

  • it does not contain unlawful, abusive or misleading material; and

  • any incentive connected with the submission has been disclosed.

You give us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to reproduce and display the submitted content for operating and promoting our business.

You retain ownership of your content. You may contact us if you want us to stop using it, although removal may not always be possible where it has already been lawfully incorporated into printed material or where retention is legally required.

We may moderate or remove content where reasonably necessary, but we will not manipulate reviews to create a misleading impression of customer opinion.

23. Third-party services and links

The website may use or link to services operated by third parties, including Shopify, payment providers, delivery companies and social-media platforms.

Those services may have their own terms and privacy policies.

We are not responsible for the independent content or availability of a third-party website. This does not exclude any responsibility we have for third parties acting on our behalf in fulfilling your order.

24. Privacy and cookies

We process personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Our website uses essential cookies and, where you consent, may use analytics or advertising cookies. You can review or change your choices using the Cookie Preferences link in the website footer.

25. Our responsibility to you

We do not exclude or limit liability where doing so would be unlawful. This includes liability for:

  • death or personal injury caused by our negligence;

  • fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;

  • breach of your statutory rights concerning goods;

  • defective products where liability cannot legally be excluded; and

  • any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

If we breach these terms, we are responsible for loss or damage that was a foreseeable result of that breach or our failure to use reasonable care and skill.

Loss or damage is foreseeable if it was obvious that it would happen or if both parties knew it might happen when the contract was formed.

We are not responsible for losses that are not foreseeable or caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control, except where the law provides otherwise.

Our products are supplied primarily for private consumer use. If you use a product for an unauthorised commercial or resale purpose, we will not normally be responsible for business losses such as loss of profit, revenue or business opportunity, except where liability cannot legally be excluded.

Nothing in this section affects your statutory rights or rights to refunds and other remedies.

26. Events outside our reasonable control

We are not responsible for delay or failure caused by events outside our reasonable control, such as severe weather, natural disasters, industrial action, transport disruption, interruption of essential utilities or government restrictions.

If such an event affects your order, we will contact you where reasonably possible and take reasonable steps to minimise the delay.

If there is a substantial delay, you may have the right to cancel and receive a refund for goods not supplied. Nothing in this section limits your statutory rights.

27. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms to reflect changes to our business, website or legal obligations.

The version applying to an order is the version in force when the order is placed. Later changes will not retrospectively alter an existing contract unless required by law or agreed with you.

The current version and its last-updated date will be published on this page.

28. If part of these terms is invalid

If a court or competent authority decides that part of these terms is unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

A failure or delay in enforcing a provision does not waive our right to enforce it later.

29. Governing law and courts

These terms and contracts between us are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

If you live in Scotland, you may also rely on mandatory Scottish consumer protections and bring proceedings in the Scottish courts.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you may also rely on mandatory Northern Irish consumer protections and bring proceedings in the Northern Irish courts.

If you live elsewhere, you may be entitled to rely on mandatory consumer protections in your country of residence.

Nothing in this section removes rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

30. Complaints and contact

If you have a question or complaint, please contact:

Michael Janicki, trading as The Fossil Shop

27 Pinfold Road
Cayton
Scarborough
YO11 3BH
United Kingdom

Email: info@thefossilshop.co.uk

We will try to acknowledge and resolve complaints within a reasonable time.

Consumers may also obtain independent guidance from the Citizens Advice consumer service or the relevant consumer-advice service in Scotland or Northern Ireland.